Robert Darrah Letter, 1864 | Lawrence University Archives

Unknown Union soldier. Camp Randall became the center of Wisconsin military activities, and more than 70,000 men were quartered and trained there. In July, 1863 Lincoln called for a draft, all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to be enrolled into local militia units and be available to be called into national service. By late 1863 men coming into Camp Randall were conscripts and draftees not volunteers. Draftees after mustering in were under armed guard with orders to shoot anyone who tried to escape. Problems began in the camp and in Madison from a lack of discipline and too many men for the federal military agents to feed, clothe, and equip.